Garden Q&A

Q. My holly tree is getting yellow leaves and they are dropping. What might cause this?

A. Hollies are one of the last trees in the spring to put on new growth. Because they are evergreens, they must shed old leaves to make way for new leaves. If the leaves that are dropping are older ones, do not be concerned as this is a normal cycle.

Q. I have just noticed a ring of small, holes around the trunk of my loquat tree. Will these be detrimental to the tree?

A. These were most likely caused by a bird known as a sap-sucker. They make these holes so the tree exudes sap and then they come back to consume the insects that become stuck in the sap. Any damage is self-limiting and your tree may live for many years to come.